Common name : Tamarin bicolore Scientific name : Saguinus bicolour Family : Callitrichidae Native to : A restricted area in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest of South America Interesting fact : Only the alpha female of the group breeds. Conservation status : Endangered It has a white chest and back, brown, tan or red hind legs […]
Holi is a festival celebrated amongst the Hindu population and is most prevalent in India. Do you know:Holi received its name as the ‘Festival of colours’ after Lord Krishna, who was known to play the pranks on village girls by drenching them with water and colours. Holi is a festival that not only marks the
The Foot Binding custom has been banned recently, but existed for a large part of China’s history. Do you know: Girls at a young age and even very often toddlers, were subject to this custom. The Foot Binding started as early as 700 AD in China, where small feet were considered a sign of beauty
There is a custom in Japan where children are asked to Hold their Stomachs or Belly Buttons when during a storm. Do you know: According to Japanese customs, the god of Thunder and Storms is said to sleep in the Belly Buttons of children. This custom evolved from stories where Raijin, the god of Thunder,
Pointing with the Thumb is a general custom in Indonesia. Do you know: People in Indonesia consider it rude and impolite to point with the index finger. The members of both the Hindu and the Muslim faith in Indonesia, consider greeting or using the left hand for social custom unclean and improper. More importantly, if
Krampusnacht or Krampus Night iscustom in many parts of Europe. Do you know: According to folklore,while Saint Nicholas would reward the good, Krampus would come to punish the misbehaved. Krampusnacht is the evening of December 5, a day before the Feast of Saint Nicholas, when a horned half-goat, half-demon figure is said to roam the
Common name : Mawmag Scientific name : Carlito syrichta Family : Tarsiidae Native to : Philippines Interesting fact : Named after the ankle bone ‘tarsus’. Conservation status : Near Threatened The Philippine tarsier measures about 85-160 mm in height and weighs between 80-160 gm. It has thin, rough fur which is coloured grey to dark
The Battle of Oranges is actually a festival that takes place in Ivrea, Northern Italy. Do you know: This festival started out of a historical story where a miller’s daughter defended her dignity against an evil duke. As the story goes, the townspeople stormed the Duke’s palace and burned it down. The participants are divided
The Tooth Throwing is a custom practised by little children in Japan, Greece and other parts of the world. Do you know: As a part of the tradition, the Japanese throw the lower tooth of a child on a roof, while they throw the upper tooth in the area below the floor. The Tooth Throwing
Common name : Phayre’s leaf monkey Scientific name : Trachypithecus phayrei Family : Cercopithecidae Native to : Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam Interesting fact : Used as guard against other monkeys. Conservation status : Endangered Phayre’s leaf monkeys are dark grey-blue in colour with some brown on the back and have mostly
The Money Dance is a wedding tradition that takes place across various cultures around the world. Do you know: This widespread tradition may have actually originated in Poland in the early 1900s. The Money Dance has many names and many variations. But essentially, its essence is the same everywhere. After the newlyweds have had their
Kyz Ala Kachuu, which literally means to ‘take a young woman and run away’ is the practice of bride kidnapping that takes place in Kyrgyzstan. Do you know: Despite being banned, almost every third woman in Kyrgyzstan is taking against her will. The custom can range from consensual elopement to non-consensual kidnapping. A controversial custom,
Blackening is a wedding ritual that takes place in rural parts of Scotland. Do you know: While this ritual has humble origins, it has transformed into ‘capturing’ the bride/groom and covering them with everything possible. This custom is performed on either or both the bride and groom before their wedding. The couple is captured by
Common name : Wadi, Hussar monkey Scientific name : Erythrocebus patas Family : Cercopithecidae Native to : Africa region Interesting fact : It is a ground-dweller, not an arboreal. Conservation status : Least Concern The monkey has a long and slimly built body covered in fur, which is white in colour on the underside and
Beating the Groom’s Feet is a Korean wedding tradition that mostly takes place in South Korea. Do you know: The groom’s friends might use a Yellow Corvine fish or a cane to beat the soles of the groom’s feet. More entertaining than cruel, this custom tests the groom’s knowledge and strength and is meant to